Pakistan: US suspends $800m of military aid

Modbert · Jul 10, 2011

BBC News - Pakistan: US suspends $800m of military aid

The US says it is withholding some $800m in military aid to Pakistan.

White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley told ABC television that Pakistan had "taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid".

He said the US raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in May had affected ties but he insisted the relationship "must be made to work over time".

The $800m (£500m) equates to about a third of the annual US security aid to Pakistan, US officials say.
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He added: "It's a complicated relationship in a very difficult, complicated part of the world. Obviously, there's still lot of pain that the political system in Pakistan is feeling by virtue of the raid that we did to get Osama Bin Laden, something that the president felt strongly about and we have no regrets over.

US drone attacks have caused anger among many in Pakistan
"Until we get through these difficulties, we will hold back some of the money that the American taxpayers have committed to give them."
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Good.

Kuros · Jul 10, 2011

Progress.

Next up: suspend $800million of aid to Israel.

WillowTree · Jul 10, 2011

Modbert said: ↑

BBC News - Pakistan: US suspends $800m of military aid

The US says it is withholding some $800m in military aid to Pakistan.

White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley told ABC television that Pakistan had "taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid".

He said the US raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in May had affected ties but he insisted the relationship "must be made to work over time".

The $800m (£500m) equates to about a third of the annual US security aid to Pakistan, US officials say.
Click to expand...

He added: "It's a complicated relationship in a very difficult, complicated part of the world. Obviously, there's still lot of pain that the political system in Pakistan is feeling by virtue of the raid that we did to get Osama Bin Laden, something that the president felt strongly about and we have no regrets over.

US drone attacks have caused anger among many in Pakistan
"Until we get through these difficulties, we will hold back some of the money that the American taxpayers have committed to give them."
Click to expand...

Good.
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why didn't they cut all 2 billion?

kaz · Jul 10, 2011

Kuros said: ↑

Progress.

Next up: suspend $800million of aid to Israel.
Click to expand...

Agreed on both counts, the Federal government should give no foreign aid. Only the people should give their own money to where they want it to go. As for me, I would donate to Israel but not Pakistan, but I still don't want money confiscated and given to Israel.

waltky · Jul 13, 2011

Uncle Ferd says mebbe we'd be better off if we just got it over with an' nuked `em...

Analysts: Suspension of Aid to Pakistan Could be Risky
July 11, 2011 - The Obama administration has said it will suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid and reimbursements to Pakistan. The move is widely seen as reflecting a high level of frustration in Washington with the Pakistani government. It is also a highly risky step to take against a government that is a key ally in a war.

Government-to-government disputes between friendly governments usually take place in private and are smoothed over in public. So the Obama administrations decision to hold back some $800 million in U.S. military assistance is a highly unusual display of Washingtons diplomatic displeasure with Islamabad. Former State Department policy planner Daniel Markey, now with the Council on Foreign Relations, says the move reflects a downward trajectory in U.S.-Pakistan relations. "Its definitely a sign that the relationship is spiraling downwards, and I think its a ratcheting up of the pressure from Washington," said Markey. "But I dont think its a significant enough ratcheting up to actually turn a corner in a constructive way. If anything, it looks more like frustration and venting, which may contribute to a further spiraling downward."

Total U.S. aid to Pakistan last year came to about $4.5 billion, about half of which went to the military. Daniel Markey says the administration probably acted in anticipation of some kind of move by Congress, where sentiment to curtail aid to Pakistan has been growing. "The U.S. has been frustrated and has felt that Pakistan has not turned a positive corner - that, if anything, relations from the Pakistani side have gotten more negative," he said. "And so I gather that in response to that - and perhaps in anticipation that the U.S. Congress would cut assistance if the administration did not - the Obama administration has decided, as they put it, to postpone the delivery of monies, some of which the Pakistanis believe they deserve because theyve already conducted operations and used that money."

But Professor Larry Goodson of the U.S. Army War College says it is a gamble to hold back aid to Islamabad since most of the supplies for U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan move by land routes through Pakistan. "It is an extremely big risk to take. In my judgment, its extremely dangerous to tell the person who has his hands around your throat, dont squeeze, or Ill get really angry with you. The truth is, they control the supply lines," said Goodson. "And in the past, we have seen clear indicators when they have been unhappy with us, there have been attacks on the supply lines."

The U.S. has complained that Pakistan has not done enough to eradicate militant sanctuaries along the Afghan border and has demanded more cooperation from the Pakistani military and intelligence services. But U.S. officials privately voice concern about sharing intelligence with Pakistan for fear it will be leaked to militants. The Pakistani government, and in particular the powerful military, was embarrassed and upset that they were not informed in advance of the U.S. raid on a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad where Osama bin Laden was found and killed.

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CitizenPained · Jul 13, 2011

At least the US benefits from Israel's technology and intel. It's more of a payoff for making Israel the Police of the Middle East + coordinating on technology and weapons and medical developments.

Anyway.

I've hated our relationship with Pakistan ever since 9/11. Well, moreso. Pakistan is a breeding camp for terrorists...but we wanted their airspace.

Samson · Jul 13, 2011

CitizenPained said: ↑

At least the US benefits from Israel's technology and intel. .
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Like what?

Sallow · Jul 13, 2011

CitizenPained said: ↑

At least the US benefits from Israel's technology and intel. It's more of a payoff for making Israel the Police of the Middle East + coordinating on technology and weapons and medical developments.
Anyway.

I've hated our relationship with Pakistan ever since 9/11. Well, moreso. Pakistan is a breeding camp for terrorists...but we wanted their airspace.
Click to expand...

No they don't. It's quite the opposite. The US is constantly getting spied on by Israel and they steal technology from us. That..and Israel actually kills US Military and citizens. They cause all sorts of problems in the Middle East. Israel is a nasty little country that has no compulsion whatsoever to deal with it's neighbors. Why? Because their military is funded by the US. They are far from "the police" of the Middle East. They are more the "Snotty little brat" we constantly have to protect.

Sallow · Jul 13, 2011

I'm glad the Pakis are getting sent packin'.

Anachronism · Jul 13, 2011

That's a nice start.

Now start cutting off ALL foreign aid, military and otherwise, to all countries; bring out combat and non-combat troops home from everywhere outside our borders; and kick all the foreigners out of our country (this includes those whose primary allegiance is to a religion instead of to this country).

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